Lookback on Handmade Crosses and Rosary Stuff

These batch of handmade rosaries and rosary accessories were made quite a while ago when I was going through a period of rosary-making.  (Boy, that was fun!)

I have just come across these old photos I took.  I can’t say I remember how I made every one of them. Having photos can help trigger memories, or even better, new ideas.  So rather than hitting the delete button, I have included these photos here.

A. Swarovski & Chainmaille Rosary Cross

This chainmaille Swarovski cross has a solid strong body. The tightness of the jumprings together helps to give it body.  The Swarovski beads and Swarovski rose montee are wire woven on (which helps with the rigidity as well).

Via the detailed photos from the photos, you can see that I have also attached Swarovski chaton monies at the arm and foot ends of the cross.

You might want to read more on how to make chainmail cross.

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B. RAW Handmade Cross

RAW (Right Angle Weave) is a very useful beading weave for creating crosses.  A number of the crosses on this page has been done in this weave.

Both of these handmade crosses below have also been made with RAW. (Back shown is also done in Right Angle Weave.)

You can read more on how to make RAW beaded cross for more details.

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C. Handmade Rod and Hematite Cross

This is a very nice looking kind of cross and one of the easiest to make – as long as you have the appropriate rod findings to give it structure and support.

I love the cross bar here which is a finding imported from BeadSmith (America). It goes very well with the hematite gemstones – which always feels very good in rosaries.

ADDITIONAL HOW-TOs:
See Handmade Hematite Rosary for all the details on the making of this cross into an elegant rosary.

Pearl & Crystal Rosary shows an alternative use of these cross bar rods – producing a similar but different style.

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D. Chainmaille Cross

This chainmaille cross is not only fun to make but a very interesting cross.  It is fully “floppy” – i.e. not rigid and provides a very tactile, kinesthetic experience that is, in itself, very satisfying and comforting.

This was made into a Hematite and Moonstone Rosary. There are many more photos with description on the making of the rosary. (Yippee! I had forgotten I actually had written up those notes.  What a good girl I was!)<

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E. Swarovski, Rod, and Wire Wrapped Cross

This handmade cross was and remains one of my favourites.

Swarovski crystals are clustered and wrapped around a 5-hole, high grade metal rod.  Beads are wound around to create the cross using fine wire.

This particular cross was made into a Rosary for Mommy. It was complete with gemstones, Sterling Silver, more Swarovski, and even if I do say so myself, it is lovely and lovable!

You can find more detailed instructions on how to wire wrap cross here.

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Created: 2011
Materials:

• various

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